Please bear with me on this first post - I'm a long time lurker who appreciates all the knowledge that has been shared here, and the lack of attitude (at least in the posts I've seen!) vs. some other places on the internet.

I'm a long time whitewater (canoe) paddler who is doing more flatwater, and more tripping now that we have kids. I like light, fast boats:). I can discuss whitewater canoe (C1 and OC1) design and models endlessly, but have less knowledge of the history and current design for flatwater boats.

We started with a Sawyer Champ II (18'6' race boat from the late 70's) a few years ago, and last year upgraded to a Savage River Blackhawk (I visited Savage River thinking Susquehanna, but given our use they recommended, and we agreed, the Blackhawk was a better fit. It is a GREAT boat for sure for a family of 4 plus gear and siberian husky).

I've paddled an old Wenonah Advantage solo for 10+ years, and have done several trips with one child at a time in it (when my eldest was smaller...up in the bow, gear in the stern), the longest being a 3 day trip from Old Forge NY to Long Lake NY (first section of the Northern Forest Canoe trail).

So, after all that long windedness, why am I posting? Well, the kids are getting bigger, and the Blackhawk is perfect for the whole family - but sometimes the whole family (ok, my wife) doesn't want to go on an overnight or weekend canoe trip, but one of the kids does (I don't wander off solo, but we're happy to "divide and conquer" with the 4 year old and 7 year old:) ). The Advantage just doesn't cut it anymore (unless I carry more in the stern, which I'd prefer not to do for the portages!). I used an old Millbrook AC DC (16' whitewater) canoe over the past weekend - passable, but at 63 lbs was more than I want to carry (portage) (100 lbs total with my gear load).

I've been poking around the internet, and keep finding very informative posts here, which has lead me to think that two of the best boats to consider if I wish to add to the fleet are either a Swift Keewaydin 16 (in Kevlar or Carbon fusion), or a Deep Creek (set up solo with removable bow and stern seats). There's a good chance I'll sell the Wenonah Advantage if I do this, mostly for storage space, but also if i can solo the boat, and it is lighter than the Advantage, unless it is a lot slower I'd likely take the lighter boat.

So.. two questions:
1) Has anyone paddled both boats (Keewaydin 16 and Deep Creek) and do you prefer one over the other, and why?
2) Any other boats I may be overlooking?

Usage wise as noted solo and solo plus canoeing / overnights / trips, pond / lake / river. I'd been considering a Prospector as well but have sort of crossed it off the list for now. As noted above I like light and fast boats, and understand they do not come cheap.

If you've read this far, thank you!, and if you have comments / thoughts to add thank you very much!

I have a carbon kevlar deep creek with woven seats, aluminum thwarts and wood yoke (weighs 30 lbs on the scale). Love the boat for two people tripping (hauls a bunch of gear) and for our family of four( two younger kids) around the lake. Tracks well and turns easily enough, but not like a whitewater canoe. Deep creek will definitely be slower than the blackhawk, but more maneuverable and easier to portage on tight trails. I do paddle it solo from the middle, but it is a little too wide for me to do that all the time. I see that the solo is 2" narrower at the gunnels than the standard version so that may help some. The keewaydin has similar specs but with more rocker, but I've never paddled one. I prefer the carbon gunnels of Savage River over carbon gunnels on the swift. The flat vertical surface is easier on the knees when leaning against. Although both are a better option than aluminum in my opinion.

Savage River are great guys to work with and will customize your boat how ever you want it, which seems to be what you want in your post. I would opt for carbon thwarts and yoke, wasn't an option when I bought mine. They can also add painter line holes to bow and stern, saw that at a show this winter and they would be very nice to have. I would call up Savage River and discuss what your looking for and they will talk it all out with you. Good luck with your search.

Thank you for the reply!

The boat I used over the weekend that precipitated all this is 35" to the outside; it had a kneeling thwart though so I was able to slide over a little.

I had a nice chat with Ben Diller today for quite a while (they are very generous with their time) and have a few things to try out with my current fleet as well as to consider.

I'd think on heritage alone the DC might better meet your needs. Rocker however never influences speed. Block coefficient influences tracking and length influences speed.

David Yost did the Keewaydin and I am guessing he was seeking a user friendly canoe. His canoes are no slugs but sea kindliness is one of his favorite things he designs for.

John Diller has that racing background and his canoes are branching out to be more generally family friendly.

Both companies are pleasures to deal with and side by side at canoe events there is some good storytelling shared by their reps/designers.

I've paddled the Kee but not the DC.